September or January MCAT?.

[MedHopeful234]

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Hi,

So here's my situation: I'm a rising Junior, i've taken all the prereqs except physics, which I am planning to take as a Junior along with Biochem. My question is, should I go ahead and study for the MCAT this summer and take it in September (with a 40hr/wk job) having not taken physics (though I have taken AP physics so I don't feel too unprepared) or should I study during the school year while I'm taking classes + EC's + research and take it in January? I've heard that physics II isn't heavily stressed on the PS section and so taking it in January wouldn't hurt me that much since I wouldn't be able to take the second half of physics until my spring semester. I really want to take the test either in September or January just because I'd like to spend the rest of my junior year working on my apps and also to have the option of retaking the test in May or June if I don't do well on it the first time. Which would you recommend with my situation? Here are the total courses I have taken

Gen Chem I & II
Orgo I & II
Intro to Bio
Development Bio
+ calc, english, an upper level science course

Plan to take:
Physics I + Biochem I Junior Fall
Physics II + Biochem II Junior Spring

My other question is... how useful is genetics and cell bio for the MCAT? My intro to bio had a pretty good review of cell bio in it so I don't think I'll be too bad with that. I'm really only worried about genetics.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[4everdoc]

take genetics!!!

 

[ridethecliche]

I'd take it jan.

It's easier to study in gross weather and not the tail end of summer/fall.

 

[MedHopeful234]

Thank you for your responses.

Does anyone else have any advice?

 

[MDminded]

Physics and Biochem just seems like such a handful - and then to study for the MCAT?

I would wait until NEXT summer to take the exam, after you have finished Physics. And yes, it stinks to study during the summer, but studying during the school year would be worse, in my opinion. I think it depends on your ability to manage your time amazingly well.

You'll read posts about how many hours people invested in studying for the MCAT. Some people 2 hours/day, others 5-6 hours. With your workload, you'll probably be able to give only 2 hours/day, so if you begin studying early, make flashcards to help you remember, you might be okay to take it in January, but that means you need to start studying in August/September.

Do some research on SDN, figure out some strategies, private message (PM) some of the succeessful 30+ people, and get an idea of what will work for *you*. If you're great at biochem, then by all means, take the MCAT in January (not sure if I'd risk not having semester II of Physics on my belt, but maybe you are one of those smart cookies that I could never be). But be realistic, not idealistic (unlike me) and you should be fine.

So...long story short, I suggest NEXT summer, worst-case scenario January.

With regards to genetics...I wouldn't sweat it. I don't remember a lick from my Genetics class and it hasn't helped/hurt me yet. Just make sure you have a good book for review (I like TBR or ExamKrackers) - find what works for *you*.

Good luck!

 

[MedHopeful234]

Thanks for your response MDminded. My only problem with taking it next summer is that I would be going crazy with filling out the med school apps while trying to study for the MCATs + doing whatever job/internship I have (and I definitely want to apply for next year's cycle). I just figured taking it in January would leave some room for me to take it again before the application cycle in case I don't do well the first time. Also, I am probably going to take Biochem and physics with two other Pass/Fail courses or one pass/fail course and a gut course at my school. That way I would only have two major classes to study for. Maybe I'll start studying in September/October and see how difficult it is. That way if I see that I just can't handle it, I'd wait till the Spring term.